Would-Be-Goods

Splitting her childhood between England and Singapore, lead vocalist and songwriter Jessica Griffin would go on to form the Would-Be-Goods in the late '80s after a chance meeting with the Monochrome Set's Mike Alway. The meeting turned into Griffin writing songs and album liner notes on commission for El Records. Eventually, the relationship would allow Griffin the opportunity to record an album of her own penetrating, entirely British pop narratives with the Monochrome Set backing her as the Would-Be-Goods. With the release of the landmark The Camera Loves Me in 1988, Griffin and her band (the lineup of which included her sister Miranda) were catapulted into the upstart twee pop movement, even though they suffered from lack of promotion. Worse, as the band never performed live, Griffin fell into obscurity and didn't record another album for five years, returning with Mondo in 1992. After working in the fashion world for a few years, Griffin would return to front a new Would-Be-Goods lineup (including seminal twee pop guitarist Peter Momtchiloff, formerly of Heavenly) with 2002's Brief Lives and a series of live dates as a fantastic return to form. For 2004's The Morning After, drummer Debbie Green (formerly of Thee Headcoatees) and bassist Lupe Nunez-Fernández (of Pipas) were added to the lineup. Upon Nunez-Fernández's departure from the band, Andy Warren (who as a member of the Monochrome Set had played with the Would-Be-Goods) joined and helped the band record 2008's excellent Eventyr album. ~ Matt Fink & Tim Sendra, All Music Guide